|
Oklahoma Sooners
History
 Tradition
The University of Oklahoma is home to some of the most recognized
pageantry in all of college athletics. Here is a look at the origin of
the elements that create the atmosphere so unique to OU
Winning Tradition
OU boasts a tradition of excellence that few schools can rival. Over the
years, Sooner squads have combined for 22 team national championships
including seven in football, seven in wrestling, four in men's
gymnastics, two in baseball, one in men's golf and one in softball.
Each day, it becomes more evident that the University of Oklahoma has
become the finest comprehensive athletics program in the country. When
OU student-athletes raise the trophy of another championship, the hands
responsible for hoisting that trophy symbolize thousands of Sooners
around the globe.
Sooners
College sports fans are hard-pressed to find a nickname that is as
unique and as linked to a state's history as a Sooner. The University of
Oklahoma is the only school known as Sooners and those who claim that
they are Sooners say it with pride.
The Oklahoma Territory opened with the Land Run of 1889. Settlers from
across the globe, seeking free land, made their way to the prairies of
the plains to stake their claim to a new life. One of the few rules to
claiming a lot of land was that all participants were to start at the
same time, on the boom of a cannon. All settlers who started then were
labeled as "Boomers" and the ones who went too soon were called "Sooners."
OU athletic teams were called either Rough Riders or Boomers for 10
years before the current Sooner nickname emerged in 1908. The university
actually derived their name from a pep club called 'The Sooner Rooters.'
The success of University of Oklahoma athletic teams over the years have
made the nickname synonymous with winning.
Crimson & Cream
In the fall of 1895, Miss May Overstreet, the only woman on the faculty,
was asked to chair a committee to select the colors of the university.
The committee decided the colors should be crimson and cream and an
elaborate display of the colors was draped above a platform before the
student body.
The student body approved with great enthusiasm and immediately
pennants, banners, badges and decorations of every description appeared
on the streets, in the windows, at chapel, in classrooms, and all public
places; however, local merchants could not supply the demand.
Even though the school colors have evolved to red and white over the
years, you can ask any self-respecting Sooner what the colors are and
they will proudly announce 'Crimson and Cream.'
On gamedays, a sea of crimson rolls through OU's home arenas and all
Sooners are urged to wear the official colors to show the rest of the
country what school spirit and Sooner Pride is all about.
Boomer Sooner
One of the most recognizable college fight songs in the country, 'Boomer
Sooner' immediately evokes enthusiasm from OU fans and sends chills down
the spines of those who dare to oppose them.
In 1905, Arthur M. Alden, a student in history and physiology whose
father was a Norman jeweler, wrote the lyrics to the fight song,
borrowing the tune from Yale University's 'Boola Boola' but improvising
the words. A year later, an addition was made to it from North
Carolina's 'I'm a Tarheel Born' and the two combined to form the
university's fight song today. Though the tune was first made known by
Yale, the everlasting success of Sooner squads has taken the melody of
'Boomer Sooner' to national popularity.
Boomer Sooner, Boomer Sooner
Boomer Sooner, Boomer Sooner
Boomer Sooner, Boomer Sooner
Boomer Sooner, OK U!
Oklahoma, Oklahoma
Oklahoma, Oklahoma
Oklahoma, Oklahoma
Oklahoma, OK U!
I'm a Sooner born and Sooner bred
and when I die, I'll be Sooner dead
Rah Oklahoma, Rah Oklahoma
Rah Oklahoma, OK U!
The Pride of Oklahoma
The Pride of Oklahoma Marching Band has been supporting Sooner Spirit
for nearly a century. Unlike many other college bands, which began as
military drill units, the Pride of Oklahoma had its beginnings as a pep
band.
In the early years of the 1900s, both townspeople of Norman and students
of OU participated in a band that played for football games. Professor
John Merrill started the first band in 1901, which was composed mostly
of townspeople and disbanded after each football season. Lloyd Curtis
founded the first continuous student band in 1904.
Today, the 300-member Pride of Oklahoma has members representing
virtually every college and major on campus. The Pride of Oklahoma
stands for excellence in musicianship, academics, school spirit, and
commitment to our role in the surrounding community.
"Boomer Sooner" rings out at the end of each rehearsal, and that song is
still the defining element of the University of Oklahoma. Maybe that is
why Sooner fans love the band so much: There is nothing that can compare
to the first "go-go" at a football game when the Pride of Oklahoma
marches the interlocking "OU" down the field playing "Boomer Sooner.
Sooner Schooner
The Sooner Schooner is a Conestoga, or covered wagon, reminiscent of the
mode of travel used by pioneers who settled Oklahoma. The Schooner is
powered by matching white ponies named Boomer and Sooner, and it
ventures onto Owen Field in a triumphant victory ride after OU scores.
Although the Schooner was introduced in 1964, it did not become the
official mascot until 1980. The Schooner is well-recognized by college
athletics fans across the country and makes regular appearances at
university functions.
Mex the Dog
During OU football and baseball games from 1915-1928, Mex the Dog wore a
red sweater with a big red letter 'O' on the side. One of his main jobs
was to keep stray dogs from roaming the field during a game in the days
when the football field was more accessible to non-ticketholders.
Before his career as a mascot, Mex was just a helpless 'dog waif.' Then,
a U.S. Army field hospital medic found him in Mexico in 1914 during the
Mexican Revolution unrest. Mott Keys was stationed along the Mexican
border near Laredo, Texas, and found the dog among a litter of abandoned
pups one night on the Mexican side.
Mex was adopted by Keys' company, and when Keys finished his duty and
moved to Hollis, Oklahoma, he took Mex. He later attended OU and Mex
followed him again.
At OU, Mex's experience as an Army medic company mascot landed him the
job with the football team and a home in the Kappa Sigma fraternity
house. He quickly became Oklahoma's most famous dog. 'A joyous staccato
bark cheered Sooner touchdowns' at football games and a 'victory woof'
punctuated home runs at baseball games. But Mex began to gain national
attention in October of 1924 after OU lost a game to Drake University
28-0. The Sooners also lost Mex.
Mex did not board the train heading home in Arkansas City, Kansas.
Rumors spread across the Missouri Valley, the conference OU played in at
the time, that Mex was returning to attack the Drake Bulldogs and avenge
the loss. A 50-cent reward was offered, and Mex was found by upset OU
graduates J.D. Hull, Hughes B. Davis and J.C. Henley. Mex was discovered
pacing in the train station platform in Arkansas City. The men drove Mex
to the next Saturday game at Stillwater.
Mex died of old age on April 30, 1928 and he was so popular among
students and faculty that the university closed for his funeral and
procession on May 2, 1928. He was buried in a small casket somewhere
under the existing stadium.
Today, Top Dawg is a fixture at Oklahoma basketball games.
OU Chant
The 'OU Chant' is a loyalty song that is sung before every home football
game, before and after every men's and women's basketball games and at
the end of many athletic and university functions.
Every fan who wears the official colors, each current student and
student-athlete and all OU alumni are encouraged to stand and raise one
finger in the air during the playing of the Chant -- a symbolic gesture
that shows those who do not know what it means to be a Sooner, the
greatness of the university and the unity between all Sooners.
The Chant was written in 1936 by Jessie Lone Clarkson Gilkey, who
directed the OU girl's glee club from 1936 to 1938 and was voted
Outstanding Faculty Woman in 1937.
O-K-L-A-H-O-M-A
Our chant rolls on and on!
Thousands strong
Join heart and song
In alma mater's praise
Of campus beautiful by day and night
Of colors proudly gleaming Red and White
'Neath a western sky
OU's chant will never die.
Live on University!
|
